Specialized Turbo Vado SL: An Incredible E-Bike (User Club)

[stompandgo]

I chuck the contaminated pads in the dishwasher. Then give them a quick scrape with some fine sandpaper. Works like a charm. Easypeasy.

Remind me not to accept your invitation for dinner. Not that I'd get one.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

EDIT: Follow-up here.

Trying to make it as easy as possible to transport the SL on my original-style Thule EasyFold XT rack. Problem is, the best place to clamp the lateral restraint arm is on the down tube right at the bottle bosses.

Three alternatives:
A1. Remove the bottle cage (Specialized Zee) just for transport.
A2. Move the cage to the free top tube bosses.
A3. Mount a Fidlock bottle and base on the downtube bosses.

A1 is too much trouble — even with better screw access than the Zee cage allows.

A2 is out. Clumsy bottle access while riding. Bottle never leaked onto the motor during trial but don't want the worry. Mounting anything there also blocks the best grip for lifting the bike, which the rack requires.

A3 is very tempting, as the rack arm could then clamp in the ideal spot with the magnetic base still fixed to the down tube.

Two questions, please:

Q1. Anyone have Fidlock experience, any bike? (Lots of Fidlock mentions with forum search, but no follow-up reports.)

Q2. OK to keep a strong magnet right next to the SL's internal battery given the potential effect on intra-battery currents — i.e., would the alloy tube wall provide adequate magnetic shielding?

Thanks!

 

[BlackHand]

My Bulls came with a fidlock base but no bottle. I couldn't bring myself to spend the $$ for a fancy water bottle I could only use on 1 bike.

I bet if you take your lock off its base the Thule jaws would fit nicely on the seat tube between the lock base and the stays. That's about where I clamp my bike:

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

My Bulls came with a fidlock base but no bottle. I couldn't bring myself to spend the $$ for a fancy water bottle I could only use on 1 bike.

I bet if you take your lock off its base the Thule jaws would fit nicely on the seat tube between the lock base and the stays. That's about where I clamp my bike:

View attachment 198155

Thanks! For now, shooting for a rack-compatible down tube bottle solution.

Seat tube bosses reserved for the lock shown and a future range extender. Keeping the SL as light as possible (no trunk bag), so nowhere else for these 2 items to go.

Sorry, misunderstood your suggestion. Will try removing just the lock itself.

Stiil interested in Fidlock questions, as the range extender on the down tube might be a different story.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You need the Zee cage on the seat tube for Range Extender.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

You need the Zee cage on the seat tube for Range Extender.

When that day comes, yes. Then I'll have to figure out where to put the Abus folding lock, which might or might not be secure in its holder on the top tube on bumpy surfaces. Will eventually have to test that, but not hopeful.

But for now, I'll keep the lock on the seat tube, ignore the top tube bosses, and continue to pursue a bottle on the down tube. Hence the interest in the Fidlock system — provided the magnet is safe for my battery.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

A 4th alternative: For $8, giving this Topeak cage a try:

Amazon.com : Topeak Modula Cage Ex Adjustable Bike Bottle Cage, Black, 2.9” x 3.3” x 6.4” : Bike Water Bottle Cages : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Topeak Modula Cage Ex Adjustable Bike Bottle Cage, Black, 2.9” x 3.3” x 6.4” : Bike Water Bottle Cages : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

Mixed reviews, but with the sliding cage part removed, might be able to clamp the rack onto the down tube with the base still in place.

 

[stompandgo]

I saw that TQ has a Fidlock mount for their extended battery. $25. Hmmm.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Remind me not to accept your invitation for dinner. Not that I'd get one.

You probably don't want to know about the medical equipment and other unmentionables that people disinfect in their dishwashers. Very hostile environment if you're a cootie.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I saw that TQ has a Fidlock mount for their extended battery. $25. Hmmm.

Excellent!

TQ - FIDLOCK lock on e-bike

Discover innovative magnetic fasteners on the TQ Range Extender with FIDLOCK TWIST connection for your e-bike

www.fidlock.com

Taking that as a go-ahead for a Fidlock mount on the SL down tube.

 

[mogulman]

Trying to make it as easy as possible to transport the SL on my original-style Thule EasyFold XT rack. Problem is, the best place to clamp the lateral restraint arm is on the down tube right at the bottle bosses.

Three alternatives:
A1. Remove the bottle cage (Specialized Zee) just for transport.
A2. Move the cage to the free top tube bosses.
A3. Mount a Fidlock bottle and base on the downtube bosses.


A1 is too much trouble — even with better screw access than the Zee cage allows.


A2 is out. Clumsy bottle access while riding. Bottle never leaked onto the motor during trial but don't want the worry. Mounting anything there also blocks the best grip for lifting the bike, which the rack requires.


A3 is very tempting, as the rack arm could then clamp in the ideal spot with the magnetic base still fixed to the down tube.

Two questions, please:

Q1. Anyone have Fidlock experience, any bike? (Lots of Fidlock mentions with forum search, but no follow-up reports.)

Q2. OK to keep a strong magnet right next to the SL's internal battery given the potential effect on intra-battery currents — i.e., would the alloy tube wall provide adequate magnetic shielding?

Thanks!

I have a Thule Easyfold XT 2. I usually clamp to the top tube.

I don't have fidlock on my Vado SL, but I have it on my Giant Reign e+1 2020. I bought it because there wasn't much room in the triangle for a real water bottle. I still have the mount attached. I have a few different sized water bottles that fit on the mount. I found that it worked well. You can mount it backwards on the bottle, if you prefer the twist out to be right vs left or vise versa. I'm a lefty.

Eventually I gave up, because the amount of space was limited and the amount of water I could carry in something that worked well in that space was small for mountain biking. I don't think I have used the fidlock bottle in 3 years or so, but the bracket is still there. When I'm mtb I use a camelback.

Anyway... I do like it for what it is, just didn't work for me. On my vado sl, never needed it because a regular holder works fine. I wouldn't want to clamp onto the fidlock plastic bracket (if that's what you were thinking). I don't think it's strong enough for that.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I wouldn't want to clamp onto the fidlock plastic bracket (if that's what you were thinking). I don't think it's strong enough for that.

Thanks for the Fidlock experience!

Top tube will eventually be taken in my case. The plan is to put the clamp jaws to the right and left of the down tube bracket (as seen from the saddle). If the bracket's as low-profile as it looks, hoping nothing will touch it. We'll know in a week.

 

[2wheelsgood]

Does everybody regularly charge to 80%?

I am not really a reader of manuals so I have to admit to not doing this and have been charging to max each time.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Does everybody regularly charge to 80%?

I am not really a reader of manuals so I have to admit to not doing this and have been charging to max each time.

I charge to the max as I never know what the future might hold

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Does everybody regularly charge to 80%?

I am not really a reader of manuals so I have to admit to not doing this and have been charging to max each time.

Reserving 20+20 = 40% of a 320W ebike battery in the name of battery service life is a pretty big ask.

I probably average closer to 90% max charge but go to 100% the night before rides likely to eat a lot of battery. I do this mostly to stay out of the 0-20% range.

Which raises the question — which is worse, charging to above 80%, or discharging to below 20%?

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Went to my SL 1's official product page to check some specs.

Still for sale at the full retail price I paid for my "new" 2022 model in September, 2024. All sizes available.

Interesting that this bike's still at full price when so many other older Specialized models have been discounted. Maybe it's the niche market: The folks who want them want them bad, so remaining inventory will eventually sell?

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Progress!
In a recent post, I asked for experience with Fidlock bottle mounts as a possible way to simplify SL transport on my Thule EasyFold XT rack.

Well, finally got my hands on one today, and it looks like my evil scheme's gonna work. Had to shorten the supplied stainless screws, as the heads on the bike's own boss screws are too tall. As so often occurs in life, Dremel to the rescue!

The rack's lateral restraint arm now clamps the down tube in the ideal spot — right where the bottle goes. No more removing the bottle cage for bike transport. Just pull off the bottle instead!

Also like the way it looks. Now I just need to see how the Fidlock bottle system stacks up in daily use. Particularly interested in how secure the bottle really is on bumpy surfaces. Stay tuned.

 

[stompandgo]

Please keep us updated on the Fidlock's usability. I am looking at this system.

 

[Twowheelxtc]

Please keep us updated on the Fidlock's usability. I am looking at this system.

I use Fidlock on my Vado on the mounts under the cross bar to make the bike easier to lift. I found a normal bottle cage blocked the grip point so made it more difficult getting on trains etc. The Fidlock has been completely reliable even with a horizontal bottle. The magnets almost grab the bottle out of the hand and self seat. Removal is a small twist in the bottle. Overall excellent albeit somewhat expensive.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I use Fidlock on my Vado on the mounts under the cross bar to make the bike easier to lift. I found a normal bottle cage blocked the grip point so made it more difficult getting on trains etc.

Exactly my experience. That grip point is WAY to valuable to block with a regular bottle cage.

The Fidlock has been completely reliable even with a horizontal bottle. The magnets almost grab the bottle out of the hand and self seat. Removal is a small twist in the bottle. Overall excellent albeit somewhat expensive.

Music to my ears! Haven't needed an RE so far, but the day will come. And when it does, my Fidlock could end up on the top tube.